Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications , AU Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith .

VISITING BRETHERN . To the Editm- of THE FREKMASON ' S CHKONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I think I may safely asaume that one of the manifold duties of your office must be an occasional enactment of the role of a Visiting Brother . I therefore preface the few observations I desire to make with a solemn declaration of my high regard for the individual impersonators of that familiar character , in

what I will venture to call Masonic comedy . As a " Visiting Brother , " Sir , it has without doubt fallen to your lot—for you are human and not altogether sinless—to return thanks for the " hearty way " or " cordial manner" in which tho toast of " tho Visitors" has been received , and you have probably set about praising every thing and every body , descending in due degrees from the

" dignity " of the W . M ., and the " zeal" of his officers to the " remarkablo urbanity " of the Tyler , with that easy geniality and happy selection of adjectives which I imagine to be au essential quality of the editorial nature . That , Sir , has been the well marked course of the Visiting Brother time out of mind , and , until last week , I never met with one of our Fraternity possessing the courage to depart

from it . To tell the truth , the case was one that provoked plain speaking , and the Visiting Brother I refer to was equal to the occasion . He admonished the Master , lectured the Senior Officers , and reproved tho Juniors , in terms which lost nothing in effect from lack of earnestness of delivery , and resumed his seat , the only happy looking individual

in the room , for the consternation was universal . Truth was too strong a diet for the delicate appetites of some of our worthy brothers , and they were ready enough to reject it ; but wiser counsels prevailed . Most of the brethren were convinced that however unpalatable Truth might be , regarded as food , it might , with advantage , be occasionally swallowed as physic . I direct your attention to this little incident because I cannot help

thinking that a little more candour on the part of the Visiting Brother would often be productive of good . I do not , of coarse , mean to assert that there is any conscious insincerity in tho commonplaces he usually utters , for whenever I have been disposed to find fault with the strain of gratitude which flavours his praise , I correct myself with the reflection that there is as much sense as satire in the observation that a grateful heart attendeth a great full stomach .

Yours fraternally , A MASTER MASON . London , 2 nd May 1876 .

Symbolism.

SYMBOLISM .

To the Editor ofTHE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In reply to your correspondent , " Enquirer , " I beg to advise him to attend a rehearsal of the consecration ceremony by our able exponent Bro . Jas . Terry , Sec . Eoyal Masonic Benevolent Institution , but , in the event of his inability , the

following may suffice in answer to his question : — " To this , however , may be added that a somi-circle or any plane rectalineal figure described upon thchypothenuse can be shown to bo equal to the snm of the semi-circles or the like and similarly described figures upon tho two other sides of the triangle . It can also be shown

that the triangle which is formed by the line drawn from and connecting the greater with the intermediate squares is equal to the triangle which is joined by the lines drawn from and connecting tho greater with the lesser squares . "This proposition being of tho highest importance to Geometry

has therefore been selected and well applied to distinguish a Past Master of the Order , who , by his skill , assiduity and zeal has gained the highest distinction it is possible to obtain in tbe Lodge , and who , from his important and distinguished position , ought to be a pattern for imitation to the younger and inexperienced members of the Craft . " I am , yours fraternally , JOHN CONSTABLE , P . M . 1 S 5 .

Antient And Primitive Masonry.

ANTIENT AND PRIMITIVE MASONRY .

To the Editor of THE FREE 3 IASON ' S CHRONICLE . In consequence of enquiries and suggestions , emanating from Canada and various parts of this Kingdom , I am instructed by the G . M , to promulgate the following Order and Decree . S . P . LEATHER , 33-95 ° Sec-Gen . pro tem . Burnley , Lancashire .

In the name of the Sovereign Sanctuary of Antient and Primitive Masonry in and for Gre » l Britain and L eland . Salutation on all points of the Triangle . Respect to the Order .

Sanctuary in and for Great Britain and Ireland , duly constituted , are also certified members of the Antient and Primitive Rite of Mizraim , embracing 90 degrees , of which there is no governing body within the limits of the jurisdiction of the said Sovereign Sanctuary , and wheraa a largo number of holders of the degrees of the said Eite of Mizraim have elected to work under the said Sovereign Sanctuary . Be it

known therefore that , at the request of the said members , tho G . M . has decreed : That it is lawful for the Sovereign Sanctuary in and for Great Britain and Ireland , and its Dependencies , or any snbordinato body thereof , to grant by communication any or all corresponding degrees of the Oriental Rites of Mizraim and Memphis of 90 and 96

degrees respectively ; or by request to work any of tho discarded degrees of tho Antient Rite of Memphis ; and that upon payment of tho fees the same may bo endorsed npon the certificate of tho Sovereign Sanctuary of tho Antient and Primitive Rite of Masonry in and for Great Britain and Ireland . ( Signed ) JOHN YAEKER G . M . 28 th April 1876 .

Masonic Jurisprudence.

MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —On casually turning over tho pages of Oliver ' s Masonic Jurisprudence , I find that one of the reasons I suggested in my letter of last week , why officers visiting strange Lodges do not wear their collars is in a manner confirmed by that authority . At p . Ill , after describing the place to which visitors are entitled , he

adds : " It is scarcely en regie for any visitor , being an officer of another Lodge , to wear his collar and jewels , as it might create some degree of confusion . " My view is further confirmed and the law on this point moro strictly defined at pp . 279 , 280 , where , in reference to clothing of Provincial Grand Officers , Dr . Oliver remarks : " Tho rest of the officers , " P . G . officers other than Stewards , that is to say ,

" aro at liberty to appear in their official costume when attending their own Lodge or visiting any other , a privilege which the Masters and Wardens of private Lodges do not legally iiossess , because it is absolutely necessary to the well being of the Lodge that its ruling officers should be broadly distinguished by their collars and jewels , which would be materially obstructed if other Masters and Wardens

were , in attendance as visitors , decorated in the same manner . " JT . B —The italics are my own . If this ruling be correct , then , in spite of tho absolute dictum of the Constitutions , the clothing proper in our own Lodge would not be proper in a strange Lodge , and tho W . M . of a latter might justly object to a visiting Master or Warden appearing in the full majesty

of his official clothing . As regards the " jewels , medals , or devices , " which may be legally worn , and about which " P . M . " inquired iu his first letter , Dr . Oliver offers no opinion of his own . He says , at page 76 : " There is some difficulty in understanding the question of honorary jewels . Tho Constitutions provide no jewel shall be worn in a Lodge

other than those specified for the officers , except such honorary or other jewels or emblems as shall appertain to , or be consistent with , those degrees which are recognised , acknowledged by , and under the control of the Grand Lodge , but this regulation is vaguely expressed . Some are of opinion that any honorary Masonic jewel presented by

the Lodge is hero intended ; others prescribe certain degrees of limitation , and think that a Past Master is entitled to wear a jewel , whether presented by the Lodge or not , provided it contain no special device , nor any words engraven on tho reverse except the name of the owner . " Fraternally yours , " L . Q . "

The service of swift steamers beUe 3 n Glasgow and the Highlands , via the Crinan and Cnhdonian Canals , will commence running on the 15 th instant , ard tourists who contemplate a visit during the early summer months , will thus have ample facilities for reaching their destination by

a speedy and convenient route . The following are the places between which the steamers ply : —Glasgow and Oban , daily ; Glasgow and Islay , Tuesdays ; Glasgow and Fort-William , Bavanie , and Inverness , Monday , Wednesday and Friday ; Fort-William and Glasgow , Tuesday ,

evening ; from Oban to Staffa and lona , Saturdays , 27 th May , 3 rd and 17 th June , returning same evening . There are other journeys , but full particulars can be obtained on application to Messrs . David Hutcheson and Co ., 119 Hope-street , Glasgow .

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications , AU Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith .

VISITING BRETHERN . To the Editm- of THE FREKMASON ' S CHKONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I think I may safely asaume that one of the manifold duties of your office must be an occasional enactment of the role of a Visiting Brother . I therefore preface the few observations I desire to make with a solemn declaration of my high regard for the individual impersonators of that familiar character , in

what I will venture to call Masonic comedy . As a " Visiting Brother , " Sir , it has without doubt fallen to your lot—for you are human and not altogether sinless—to return thanks for the " hearty way " or " cordial manner" in which tho toast of " tho Visitors" has been received , and you have probably set about praising every thing and every body , descending in due degrees from the

" dignity " of the W . M ., and the " zeal" of his officers to the " remarkablo urbanity " of the Tyler , with that easy geniality and happy selection of adjectives which I imagine to be au essential quality of the editorial nature . That , Sir , has been the well marked course of the Visiting Brother time out of mind , and , until last week , I never met with one of our Fraternity possessing the courage to depart

from it . To tell the truth , the case was one that provoked plain speaking , and the Visiting Brother I refer to was equal to the occasion . He admonished the Master , lectured the Senior Officers , and reproved tho Juniors , in terms which lost nothing in effect from lack of earnestness of delivery , and resumed his seat , the only happy looking individual

in the room , for the consternation was universal . Truth was too strong a diet for the delicate appetites of some of our worthy brothers , and they were ready enough to reject it ; but wiser counsels prevailed . Most of the brethren were convinced that however unpalatable Truth might be , regarded as food , it might , with advantage , be occasionally swallowed as physic . I direct your attention to this little incident because I cannot help

thinking that a little more candour on the part of the Visiting Brother would often be productive of good . I do not , of coarse , mean to assert that there is any conscious insincerity in tho commonplaces he usually utters , for whenever I have been disposed to find fault with the strain of gratitude which flavours his praise , I correct myself with the reflection that there is as much sense as satire in the observation that a grateful heart attendeth a great full stomach .

Yours fraternally , A MASTER MASON . London , 2 nd May 1876 .

Symbolism.

SYMBOLISM .

To the Editor ofTHE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In reply to your correspondent , " Enquirer , " I beg to advise him to attend a rehearsal of the consecration ceremony by our able exponent Bro . Jas . Terry , Sec . Eoyal Masonic Benevolent Institution , but , in the event of his inability , the

following may suffice in answer to his question : — " To this , however , may be added that a somi-circle or any plane rectalineal figure described upon thchypothenuse can be shown to bo equal to the snm of the semi-circles or the like and similarly described figures upon tho two other sides of the triangle . It can also be shown

that the triangle which is formed by the line drawn from and connecting the greater with the intermediate squares is equal to the triangle which is joined by the lines drawn from and connecting tho greater with the lesser squares . "This proposition being of tho highest importance to Geometry

has therefore been selected and well applied to distinguish a Past Master of the Order , who , by his skill , assiduity and zeal has gained the highest distinction it is possible to obtain in tbe Lodge , and who , from his important and distinguished position , ought to be a pattern for imitation to the younger and inexperienced members of the Craft . " I am , yours fraternally , JOHN CONSTABLE , P . M . 1 S 5 .

Antient And Primitive Masonry.

ANTIENT AND PRIMITIVE MASONRY .

To the Editor of THE FREE 3 IASON ' S CHRONICLE . In consequence of enquiries and suggestions , emanating from Canada and various parts of this Kingdom , I am instructed by the G . M , to promulgate the following Order and Decree . S . P . LEATHER , 33-95 ° Sec-Gen . pro tem . Burnley , Lancashire .

In the name of the Sovereign Sanctuary of Antient and Primitive Masonry in and for Gre » l Britain and L eland . Salutation on all points of the Triangle . Respect to the Order .

Sanctuary in and for Great Britain and Ireland , duly constituted , are also certified members of the Antient and Primitive Rite of Mizraim , embracing 90 degrees , of which there is no governing body within the limits of the jurisdiction of the said Sovereign Sanctuary , and wheraa a largo number of holders of the degrees of the said Eite of Mizraim have elected to work under the said Sovereign Sanctuary . Be it

known therefore that , at the request of the said members , tho G . M . has decreed : That it is lawful for the Sovereign Sanctuary in and for Great Britain and Ireland , and its Dependencies , or any snbordinato body thereof , to grant by communication any or all corresponding degrees of the Oriental Rites of Mizraim and Memphis of 90 and 96

degrees respectively ; or by request to work any of tho discarded degrees of tho Antient Rite of Memphis ; and that upon payment of tho fees the same may bo endorsed npon the certificate of tho Sovereign Sanctuary of tho Antient and Primitive Rite of Masonry in and for Great Britain and Ireland . ( Signed ) JOHN YAEKER G . M . 28 th April 1876 .

Masonic Jurisprudence.

MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —On casually turning over tho pages of Oliver ' s Masonic Jurisprudence , I find that one of the reasons I suggested in my letter of last week , why officers visiting strange Lodges do not wear their collars is in a manner confirmed by that authority . At p . Ill , after describing the place to which visitors are entitled , he

adds : " It is scarcely en regie for any visitor , being an officer of another Lodge , to wear his collar and jewels , as it might create some degree of confusion . " My view is further confirmed and the law on this point moro strictly defined at pp . 279 , 280 , where , in reference to clothing of Provincial Grand Officers , Dr . Oliver remarks : " Tho rest of the officers , " P . G . officers other than Stewards , that is to say ,

" aro at liberty to appear in their official costume when attending their own Lodge or visiting any other , a privilege which the Masters and Wardens of private Lodges do not legally iiossess , because it is absolutely necessary to the well being of the Lodge that its ruling officers should be broadly distinguished by their collars and jewels , which would be materially obstructed if other Masters and Wardens

were , in attendance as visitors , decorated in the same manner . " JT . B —The italics are my own . If this ruling be correct , then , in spite of tho absolute dictum of the Constitutions , the clothing proper in our own Lodge would not be proper in a strange Lodge , and tho W . M . of a latter might justly object to a visiting Master or Warden appearing in the full majesty

of his official clothing . As regards the " jewels , medals , or devices , " which may be legally worn , and about which " P . M . " inquired iu his first letter , Dr . Oliver offers no opinion of his own . He says , at page 76 : " There is some difficulty in understanding the question of honorary jewels . Tho Constitutions provide no jewel shall be worn in a Lodge

other than those specified for the officers , except such honorary or other jewels or emblems as shall appertain to , or be consistent with , those degrees which are recognised , acknowledged by , and under the control of the Grand Lodge , but this regulation is vaguely expressed . Some are of opinion that any honorary Masonic jewel presented by

the Lodge is hero intended ; others prescribe certain degrees of limitation , and think that a Past Master is entitled to wear a jewel , whether presented by the Lodge or not , provided it contain no special device , nor any words engraven on tho reverse except the name of the owner . " Fraternally yours , " L . Q . "

The service of swift steamers beUe 3 n Glasgow and the Highlands , via the Crinan and Cnhdonian Canals , will commence running on the 15 th instant , ard tourists who contemplate a visit during the early summer months , will thus have ample facilities for reaching their destination by

a speedy and convenient route . The following are the places between which the steamers ply : —Glasgow and Oban , daily ; Glasgow and Islay , Tuesdays ; Glasgow and Fort-William , Bavanie , and Inverness , Monday , Wednesday and Friday ; Fort-William and Glasgow , Tuesday ,

evening ; from Oban to Staffa and lona , Saturdays , 27 th May , 3 rd and 17 th June , returning same evening . There are other journeys , but full particulars can be obtained on application to Messrs . David Hutcheson and Co ., 119 Hope-street , Glasgow .